Hello?
Hi, this is Maggie from Denominator. Did someone tell you I’d be calling?
Aw, yeah. I forgot, though. But no, it’s cool.
Is the signal okay?
It’s fine, why?
… They told me to ask that.
[laughter] You’re new, right?
… Possibly. Should we get started?
Sure.
Okay. Numero uno. You were only fifteen years old when you joined the band, so… how do you, um… do you feel like you’ve missed out on maybe your adolescence, or… um, yeah. That.
No, not really. I mean. I missed – um – a year or two in high school, but I came back and did them and I actually did graduate and all, so, you know. And when people say adolescence it’s usually parties and girls or whatever and clearly I – uh – ha, I clearly didn’t miss any of that, so. Can’t complain. I guess, um, if there’s one thing I missed out on maybe, the college thing, I wanted to do that. But, uh. I still can, I guess.
Sure. What do you want to study?
Well, uh. When I was a kid I wanted to – well, it’s weird because, I was like a huge geek when I was a kid actually. I was on the honor roll and straight A’s and everything, I was this really intelligent kid, so, I wanted to be like a neurosurgeon or something cool like that.
Oh, yeah. Dr Cameron Fields, top neurosurgeon. How cool.
You think so?
Definitely.
Maybe I missed an opportunity there.
For sure. So you know what to do when you go back to college, then.
Yes! Thank you, for uh – [laughter] – yeah, for helping me with the decision. It’s, uh, it’s weird actually, when you said what do you want to study, I always think, you know, what did I want to study, I never – are you following me, or am I just rambling?
Oh no, no, I’m following. You always think of it as something you missed.
Yeah, I mean, I’ve had it in the back of my head to go back or whatever, but I never really – what do I want to study, though, that’s a question. You know. I don’t know. It’s great, though, I’m going to, you know, to think about that some more. It’s always nice to, um. To plan stuff like that, it can be a lot of fun. Even if it never comes off. So, other than neurosurgery. I don’t know.
Maybe you’d stay with the whole music thing.
I don’t think so. I mean. I love playing and I love writing songs, you know, but uh. I guess I feel like, I’ve done that. Kind of. Which is not like I want to give it up, just that – uh – if I was going to go to college, I’d like to pick up something new. You know?
Right. So what other stuff are you into then?
I, um. I like films a lot.
So, acting?
Oh God no. No, no. But, uh, I’m kind of into, you know, photography or whatever. I make little films when we’re on the road and stuff, all, uh… strictly artistic, you know.
Tour videos.
Right, but not even, I mean – and they don’t have concerts or parties in them, so – I make them on this really old camera, and I just spend hours like splicing all the film together myself. I film the other guys and the places we go and stuff but, uh, no music or gigs or anything, so. Not really a tour video as such.
That’s how you get your kicks on tour, then.
It is. Well, that and the cocaine.
[laughter]
[laughter] Please don’t print that, my mom reads this.
I won’t. You were saying.
Right, about the videos and college and all. I might do something along those lines, you never know.
Making films.
Maybe. Wow, I uh… It’s probably not, uh, what you’re supposed to say in an interview, you know, oh I’m going to go hit Hollywood you know, pick up a few Oscars.
Just to fill out the Grammy closet.
[laughter] Right, absolutely. It’s looking a little empty with just, uh, just the three.
How was that? The Grammy thing.
It was great. [pause] In some ways, it was great.
Some ways?
Yeah, I mean – I don’t want to knock it, you know, because, uh, I guess they’ve been very good to us and all, but I don’t know if I wanted us to be, a – a Grammys kind of band, you know?
Well, you’ve changed.
What makes you say that?
You don’t think you’ve changed?
Sure, we’ve changed, I mean where would – you know, how can you be a band for six, seven years and not change, you can’t – you can’t do that.
Of course not.
So, I don’t think it’s fair to say, that we’ve – somehow become more commercial or sold out to the Grammys crowd or something. I think we’ve evolved, I think – that anyone would evolve, you know, we’ve been through a lot. And we’re a lot older.
Do you feel a lot older?
Me? God, yes. Did you – oh wait, did you mean, as a band?
[laughter] No, I meant you.
Oh, good. [laughter]
So you do feel older.
Well, I’m twenty-two now, so. I am older.
Sure, I mean, everyone is older, but… stupid question, really.
Nah, not really. I guess I do feel old. When I meet other guys my age, it’s like, who are these people, you know, I uh, I can’t connect with them at all, they’re still just making decisions about their life or you know still in college and I’m like –
A millionaire.
Not, uh, no. Actually, not.
Eep! Sorry.
I’m not – uh – don’t worry, I’m not touchy about it. I’m richer than, you know. You, probably.
[laughter]
[laughter] Jesus, I’m sorry.
No, that’s great.
Aw, you’re gonna – print that now and it’s gonna make me look like an asshole.
Yeah.
I probably am kind of an asshole.
No! No, you’re not. I won’t print it like that. Promise.
You promise, that’s very cute. Do you, uh – do you pinky swear, though?
Yes. I do.
Good, I just wouldn’t feel safe otherwise.
I can’t remember where we were now.
You really are new, aren’t you?
Yeah, I am.
How’s it going?
Great. I’m talking to you, so, that’s big.
Oh yeah?
Yes! Oh my god, huge.
I don’t buy that. A phone interview?
Seriously, it’s a big big deal. I don’t know if I’ll ever get something as big as this again. I mean, I wasn’t even supposed to do it, but some guy got sick.
[laughter] Awesome. I think you’re doing great.
You’re just saying that.
I’m not. I don’t even like interviews all that much, so no, this one is going very well.
